Voting machine



J. M. GARR VOTING MACHINE April 4, 1933.

Filed May 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l mm W Gal-"l."

INVENTOR HIS ATTORNIV' -April 4, 1933. j GARR 1,903,401

' VOTING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GOVERNOR CTY. JUDGE LIGOVERNOR SHERIFF SEC.STATE SURVEYOR JUST. PEACE SCHOOL ab fas'e a/z M Gar/r INVENTOR aw M w flajm wnussslf% I ms ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 4, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH M. GARE, OF CALUMET CITY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PEOPLES VOTING MACHINE CORPORATION, OF KNOX, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA VOTING MACHINE Application filed May 2, 1830. Serial No. 449,298.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in voting machines, and has for its principal object the provision of an improved construction of this character which will be highly eflicient in use and economical in manufacture.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an interlocking arrangement embodied in the invention.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of an interlocking arrangement which will enable any political party or like group to use two or more vertical rows of voting buttons, while still permitting to each party or like group individual and group voting in each vertical row of voting buttons.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a voting machine which will accommodate a relatively large number of political parties or like groups, while still allowing each party or like group the use of one or more vertical rows of buttons, and while still permitting individual and group voting in both horizontal and vertical rows of buttons.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 represents a fragmentary elevational rear view of one unit of my invention mounted on a voting machine;

Fig. 2 is a detailed plan view taken substantially on the line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the front of the voting machine;

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially on the line 44 in Fig. 2 showing a part of the operating mechanism of my invention in one position;

Fig. 5 is a view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 in another position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a sliding unit embodied in my invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a part of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of another part of the unit shown inFig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a removable unit embodied in my invention.

The voting machine embodying my invention preferably comprises a cabinet 10 within which are arranged the operating mechanisms to be described presently. This cabinet 10 may be formed of any suitable material and be of any suitable design to support a panel 4. As shown in Fig. 3 this panel embodies on the front thereof a plurality of voting buttons to be described presently. These buttons, as shown, are arranged in horizontal and vertical rows and each horizontal row of buttons operates the voting mechanism embodying my invention. It will, therefore, be understood that the description to follow is in general directed to oneunit of the voting mechanism which is operated by one row of horizontal buttons. It is also to be understood that while in Fig. 3 I have shown only five horizontal rows of buttons and five vertical rows of buttons this number, as will be explained presently, can be varied Within a wide range by the use of my invention. It will be seen, therefore, that the mechanisms operated by any of the horizontal rows other than the one I am now about to describe are substantially similar thereto.

In this connection each unit comprises a plurality of straps formed from suitable material and such as will best serve the purpose. As shown in Fig. 1 the straps have attached to corresponding end portions thereof clips 2 defining loop portions 68. The clips 2, in the present instance, are secured to these end portions of the straps by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 6 or the like. The straps, as shown, vary in length to facilitate attaching the loops to a mechanism operable by buttons 5 for registering the votes on a counting mechanism embodied in the applicants copending application filed on or about May 3, 1930, Ser. No. 446,624. Likewise, the straps, as shown, are arranged in superimposed position and are attached by meansof the clips 2 to the buttons in the following manner Referring particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that there is provided in the panel 4 5 a row of horizontally spaced slots 69. Proj ecting through these slots are pins 3. These pins at their inner end portions project or fit into the loops 68, there being provided akey 70 at the outer ends of the pins where by to eflect connection between the pins 3 and the loops 68. The inner end portions offthe pins are secured in any suitable manner to a slide bar 38 disposed upon the face of the panel 4 to the rear of the housing 29. These slide bars 38 have angled end portions 39 which work in slots 40 formed in the panel. The buttons 5 are rotatably secured to the lateof the housing 29.by means of suitable screws-31 and these buttons carry an indicator 34. The front plate 30 of the housing 29 is secured 'tothe housing'proper by means of screws 48 threaded into threaded openings provided in the back wall ofthe housing and the housing 29 is secured to the panel 4 by means of suitable screws 47. In tegral with the indicator 34 is an arm 35 which 'engagesin a notch 70 formed in an arm ofamember 36. r

By rotating the button 5 the arm 35 will rotate the member 36 and inasmuch as this member 36' is provided withfan arm portionproviding teeth 42 and 43 engaging in notches '44 and 45 formed in the slide bar 38 this slide bar 38 will be moved and consequently the strap attached thereto Will likewise be moved in the same; direction. I

Referring particularly to Figs. '1 and2, I will now describe the parts of my invention associated with and functioning with the straps referred to above. As best illustrated in Fig. 2, functioning with each horizontal row'of buttons are two groups of straps, ten 5 in each group. Two of these straps, however, one from each group, are not associated with the horizontal row of buttons but lead to an independent voting unit (not shown) It will be seen, therefore, that there are eighteen straps in the unit of my invention shown in I Fig. 1, all of these ribbons leading to buttons in a horizontalrrow so that I may have as many as eighteen buttons in a horizontal row, and-since there-are a number of these horizontal rows of buttons inthe machine n A embodying my invention, corresponding but- 5 tons in each horizontal row being aligned vertically, it will be seen that in the present form of my invention I provide for eighteen :vertical rows of buttons. V As shown in Fig. 2, the straps constituting the two groups of straps referred to above are superimposed upon each other throughout a portion of their length and then extend parallel to each other but spaced apart. I will, therefore, now describe separately the construction of the straps in each group. As

shown in Fig. 1 these straps are viewed from the rear of the voting machine with the back door thereof removed. Indicated at 1 is a plurality of straps. These straps 1 have the clips 2 mounted on their outer end portions by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 6 or the like and these clips 2 have the loop portions 68 thereof removably mounted onthe pins 3 which are operable by the buttons 5.

Mounted on the upper surface of each of the straps 1 at the ends thereof opposite the clips 2 are plates 7 and these plates 7 are secured to the straps 1 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 8 or the like. Secured to the plates 7 on the under sides thereof by means of suit'able'connecting elements such as rivets 9 or the like, and in parallel alignment withv straps 1, are straps 11. Associated with the flat strips 11 are wedge units 12, best illustrated in Fig. 6, and the structure of which will now; be eX- plained: Each wedge unit 12 on straps'll includes a shoe and spaced blocks 70. There is arranged between each two adjacent straps 11 awedge unit 12 in such a manner'that the shoe portion 60 is connected'by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 13 to one strap while the spaced blocks arecon nected to the next adjacent strap likewiseby means of suitable connecting elements 61. Thus it will be seen that the shoe is arranged in opposed position with respect to the blocks whereby to have slidable movement in the groove 72 provided between the blocks as will be seen'in Fig. 6 wherein I have illustrated the general plan of the wedge units which are generically referred to at 12. As shown in Fig.1 and Fig. 2 the spaced blocks 70 are mounted on the'uppermost of the straps 11 illustrated in Fig. 1, this top strap being indicated at 66, the shoe portion 60 on the next adjacent strap b-elo-w being indicated at 67, and so on in a similar manner throughout the group of ten straps.

Mounted on strap 66, the uppermost of the straps 11, on the upper'side thereof, and disposed between the end of the strap and plate 7 attached thereto, is the shoe portion 63 of a wedge unit, and this shoe portion 63 is fastened to the strap 66 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 62. This shoe portion 63 is arranged to be slidable between the spaced blocks which are mounted on the flat strip 71 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 64.

This strap 71 is the uppermost of the second group often straps hereinbefore referred to and the construction and arrangement of these straps will now be described:

Extending parallel with straps 1 and superimposed upon straps 1 throughouta part of their length are straps 50 which have clips 2 mounted thereon at the end portions thereof, by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 6, and these clips 2 have loop portions 68 formed therein which are adapted to be mounted removably on pins 3 which are operable by buttons 5 in the same hori- Zontal row with the buttons operating straps 1, and in the manner hereinbefore described in reference to straps 1.

Mounted on the upper surface of straps 50 are plates 73 which are attached to straps 50 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 74. Attached to plates 73 on the under sides thereof by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 75 are straps 51 which extend in parallel alignment with straps 11 and are superimposed upon straps 11 throughout a portion of their length. As explained above the uppermost of these straps 51 in the group of ten straps illustrated in Fig. 1, which top strap is indicated at 71, has the spaced blocks mounted thereon adjacent one end portion and these spaced blocks 65 are fastened to strap 71 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 64. Adapted to be slidable between spaced blocks 65. and mounted on the upper surface of strap 66, strap 66 being the uppermost of the straps 11, is the shoe portion 63 which is secured to strap 66 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 62. As explained above it will be understood that these spaced blocks 65 and the shoe portion 63 constitute a wedge unit generically indicated at 12 and the general plan of which is illustrated in Fig. 6.

It will be seen that disposed below strap 71, strap 71 being the uppermost of the straps 51, is the uppermost of the straps 11 which is indicated at 66 and this alternate arrangement of straps 51 and straps 11, and the wedge units thereon, is followed throughout the arrangement of twenty straps shown in Figs. 1 and 8, so that the straps 11 are slidable between the straps 51 and conversely the straps 51 are slidable between the straps 11 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

Mounted on strap 71, on the under surface thereof, by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 76, is the shoe portion 77 of a wedge unit and mounted on the next of the straps 51 disposed adjacent below strap 71, this second strap being indicated at 78 in Fig. 1, are the spaced blocks 79 which are attached to strap 78 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 80.

Having now described the ribbons and attached wedge units the other parts of my invention shown in Fig. 1 cooperating with these ribbons and attached wedge units will now be described: Mounted vertically on the panel 4 of the voting machine, and at the rear thereof are three similar and substantially L-shaped posts indicated at 52, 53 and 54 and these posts are spaced from the panel 4 by means of the projecting portions thereof 81, 82 and 83. These posts are mounted on the panel 4 by means of suitable connecting elements such as screws 16 inserted through the panel 4 from the front thereof and screwed into suitable threaded openings in the projecting portions 81, 82, and 83 of the posts 52, 53, and 54, and these screws 16 are inserted at spaced intervals throughout the height of the posts.

In parallel alignment with and spaced rearwardly from the posts 52, 53, and 54 to provide parallel channels in which the wedge blocks are adapted to be interlocked are posts 56. 57, and 58, respectively, and these posts 56, 57, and 58 are supported in the following manner: Inserted removably between post 52 and post 56 and likewise between posts 53 and 57, and between posts 54 and 58, adjacent the top and bottom portions thereof, are suitable blocks 84 which have threaded openings formed therein and these openings are adapted to be aligned with suitable openings 59 and 85 in posts 52 and 56, in posts 53 and 57, and in posts 54 and 58.

Threaded screws 86 and 87 are inserted through these openings 59 and 85, and these ported removably on posts 52, 53, and 54 respectively. In Fig. 1 blocks 84 are shown only at the top portions ofthe posts but it is to be understood that similar blocks are disposed at the bottom portions of the posts. There need not be any blocks disposed between the top and bottom portions of the posts.

The units mounted on and supported by the posts referred to above will now be described: Suitable aligned openings indicated .at 19 are formed in posts 56 and 52, and similarly in posts 53 and 57, and posts 54 and 58, and these openings are adapted to receive staples 20 which are removable from openings 19. Supported on the staples 20 are substantially C-shaped bars 21. which have suitable openings 88 formed therein and these openings 88 are adapted to receive the staples 20. The interconnecting portions of these bars 21. are beveled as indicated at 89 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Formed on the inner sides of the end portions of the bars 21 are shelf portions indicated at 90.

lVhen staples 20 are removed from the bars 21 these bars are retained in lateral position on the posts by means of the screws 22, as shown in Fig. 2, and these bars 21 can be removed from the posts by unscrewing the screws 22 and sliding the bars laterally off the posts.

Formed in the posts 56, 57 and 58 are slots 25 and likewise formed in the posts 56, 57 and 58 are openings 91. Mounted in the slots 25 are buttons 23 which have shaft portions tions project through the openings 91 in the posts 56, 57 and 58 and these shaft portions '5 in position on the posts. Extending diametrically through the buttons 23 are slots 24 formed therein. Buttons 23 are formed with parallel flat edge portions thereon so that in vertical position the buttons 23 close the inner end portions of the slots 25 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

, Mounted removably on posts 52 and 56 are substantially C-shaped wires or abutments 27 which are inserted between the straps 11 and mounted on posts 54 and 58 are similar abutme'nts 27 which are inserted between the straps 51. Substantially C-shaped Wires 94, similar to abutments 27 but preferably of smaller diameter, are mounted removably on posts 53 and 57, and these'abutments 94 are disposed'between the straps 51 and 11. The manner of mounting abutments 27 and 94 on the posts and the manner of removing them therefrom will be described presently, in connection with the function of these wires. 2 7 I Disposed rearwardly of the panel 4 and supported by means of a plurality of horizontally extending movable bars 95 sliding bars 28and 96 which are attached tothe bars 95 by suitable connecting elements such as studs 97. These sliding bars 28 and 96 are movable laterally for a. purpose to be described hereinafter, by a mechanism attached to bar 95 which mechanism is described in the applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 456,671, filed on or about July 3, 1930.

Having described the structure of my invention the operation and uses thereof will now be explained and in the explanation that follows the combination. of posts 54 and 58 will be hereinafter referred to as post A, posts 53 and 57 as post B, and posts 52 and 56 as post C: As seen in 3, each of the voting buttons mounted on the face of the panel 4 has a ballot ticket disposed to the left thereof indicating the otfice to be voted for by each button, and these tickets are mounted between the housings 29 as shown at 98. Assuming that the two vertical'rows of buttons indicated at 99 and 100 in Fig. 3 represent the complete ballot of a particular political party or other like group it will be understood that the voting machine embodying my invention is thus arranged to accommodate nine political parties or like groups, each party being given the use of two vertical rows of buttons. In this form of my invention it will be understood, therefore, that there are eighteen vertical rows of buttons, and for this use of my invention as a nine party machine, the abutments 94 are removed from post B. by inserting a suitable tool such as a screw driver into slots 24 in buttons 23, rotating the buttons 23 into the substantially horizontal position of the button shown on the lower portion of post 56 in Fig. 1, and then sliding the abutments 94 011' post B through the neck portion of the slot 25 in the manner illustrated for abutment 27 on post 56 in Fig. 1. I

Assuming further that the voter is in the voting booth disposed about the face of the panel 4 and that he wishes to vote down vertical rows 99 and 100, commencing at the button marked No.513 which represents for nism now to be described is substantially sim-' ilar for all other buttons associated with but ton No. 513 in theuse of my invention When the indicator 34 attached to button No. 513 is the position of the buttons in Fig. 3, ready for voting, the tooth 42 of the ratchet 36 is in engagement with the sliding bar 38 in slot 44 formed therein and the arm 35 which is integral with-the indicator 34 is in engagement with. the member 36 in slot formed therein. .Vhen the voter moves the button and attached indicator into voted position,

with the indicator 34 then disposed horizontally, the movement of the indicator 34 moves t is arm 35 integral therewith and the movement of arm 35 rotates member 36 on its stud 37, tooth 42 of the member 36moving the sliding bar 38 to the left in slots 40 in the panel 4, (to the right as shown in Figs. 4 and 5) until tooth 43 of the member 36 comes into engagement with slot 45 in the sliding bar 33 and the angled end portions 39 of the sliding bar 38 abut thepanel 4 at the end portions of the slots 40. This movement of the sliding bar 38 moves the pin 3, which is integral therewith, and the movement of pin 3 moves the clip 2 and the strap attached thereto to the right as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Assuming that the button indicated at No.

513 on the face of the panel is the button operating, in the manner described above, the topmost of the straps 1, it will be seen that the topmost of the straps 11, indicated at 66, will-likewise be moved because of the connection of these straps at the plate 7 It will be seen, therefore, that the leftward movement of strap 66 (to the right as seen in Figs. 1 and 2) will tend to move the spaced blocks 7 O thereon into wedging engagement between the bar 21 and the topmost of the abutments 27 onpost C, this movement being facilitatedby the beveled edges 14 of the wedge units and the rounded surfaces of the interconnecting portions of the bars 21 indicated at 89. As will be explained presently, ample clearance is allowedfor the spaced blocks or ribbon 66 to be moved into wedging engagement between the bar 21 and the topmost of the wires 27, and in this manner the voting of the button, designated above for convenience as No. 513, is accomplished, the vote being recorded on a suitable counting mechanism indicated at 101 and operated by a pawl 46 which is'movable with the member 36. j I 7 Assuming now that the voter has voted the buttons in the vertical row indicated at 99, these buttons being operated in the manner as described above for button No. 513, and assuming he wishes to continue voting the party ballot which, because of the number of offices to be voted for requires two vertical IOWs of buttons indicated at 99 and 100. Turning the button indicated at N o. 545 in Fig. 3 to the left operates the mechanism similar to that described above in reference to button No. 518, and it will be assumed that butt-on No. 545 operates that one of the pins 3 which carries the topmost of the straps 50. When this button is rotated to the left so that the indicator 34 attached thereto is in voted position it will be seen that the rightward movement (Figs. 1 and 2) of the topmost V of the straps 50 will likewise move the top most of the straps 51, indicated at 71 in Fig. 1, because of the connection of these ribbons through the plate 73.. This movement of strap 71 will draw the shoe 77 attached. thereto into wedging engagement between the bar 21 and the topmost of the abutments 27 on post A, ample clearance being allowed for the movement of the shoe 77 into wedging engagement as described. It is apparent, therefore, that the voter is enabled to vote in a similar manner the remaining buttons in the vertical row indicated at since the machine embodying the invention includes a plurality of the units of Fig. 1, vertically arranged. He is prevented, however, from voting more than two buttons in a horizontal row because 'when abutments 27 are in position on post C, and onpost A, as shown in Fig. 1, suflicient clearance is allowed between two adj-acent bars 21 for the wedging engagement of only one shoe or one pair of spaced blocks. It is apparent, therefore, that the voting machine embodying my invention in the arrangement as described above is adapted for the use of as many as nine political parties or like groups when prov1ding tw-o'vertical rows of voting buttons for each party. In this arrangement of the voting machine the voter cannot vote more than two buttons in the same horizontal row for reasons now to be explained. In this connection it will be understood that the straps 1 and 50 are connected to alternate voting but tons in the same horizontal row.

The bars 21 are preferably spaced one inch apart on the posts'reading from the center of one bar to the center of the next adjacent bar. These bars 21 are preferably 0.090" in thickness so that one-half of this thickness or 0.045 projects into the one-inch space be tween the centers of the bars, leaving a clear ance of approximately 0.910 between the inner surfaces of two adjacent bars. The .C- shaped abutments 27 mounted on the post C and on the post A are, in the use of my invention as a nine party machine as explained above, preferably of 0.135 thickness and, there being five of these-abutments 27 in each unit mounted on each of the post structures A and C employed in the .nine party arrangement of the machine, it will be seen that these-abutments fill up a space of approximately 0.675 between two adjacent bars 21. Each of the ten straps disposed between the bars 21 on post C and post A is preferably approximately 0.015 in thickness and it is apparent that ten of these straps will fill up a total space of approximately 0.150 between two adjacent bars 21. The shoes and spaced blocks of the wedge units functioning with abutments 27 are preferably each j of 0.075" thickness. It is apparent, therefore, that when, for example, spaced blocks 7 0 on strap 66 is drawn into wedging engagement between bar 21 and the topmost of the abutments 27 in the manner explained above, a total space of 0.900 is filled up between two adjacent bars 21, and while ample clearance is provided, it is impossible for the voter to move into wedging engagement any of the other shoes or spaced blocks disposed in the same unit between two adjacent bars 21 below spaced blocks 70, and likewise when, as illustrated hereinbefore, shoe 77 on strap 71 is movedinto wedging engagementbetween bar 21.and the topmost of thestraps 27 on posts v54 and 58 ample clearance will be provided but it will likewise be impossible to move into wedging engagement-any of the other shoes or spaced blocks in the same unit between two adjacent bars 21 below shoe 77. It will be seen, therefore, that in this arrangement of my invention the voter cannot vote more than two voting buttons in the same horizontal row.

When it is desired to use the voting machine embodying my invention as what may, for convenience, be designated an eighteen party machine, this is accomplished as follows: Abutments 27 are removed and abutments 94 inserted into position on the post structure indicated at 5'3 and 57, that is, post B. As shown in Fig. 1 there are ten of these abutments 94 between two adjacent bars 21 on post B. Disposed between two adjacent bars 21 on post B are twenty straps, ten of which are the straps 11 associated with the wedge and abutments'27 of post C hereinbefore described. .As shown in Fig. 2 these straps 11 are connected the plates 7 to the straps 1 and these straps 1 pass-to their associated buttons through the spacebetween post 54 and thepanel 4. It will be seen, therefore, that the other group of ten straps between two adjacentbars 21 on post B are thestraps 51, which are connected through plates 73 to the straps 50, these nine'straps leading to pins 3 which are associated with voting buttons in the same horizontal row; It will be understood, as explained hereinbefore, that one strap from each group of10 is associated with an independent voting unit, so that there are eighteen ribbons associated with eighteen different voting buttons in one horizontal row. I

Mounted on the underside of the uppermost of the straps 51, indicated at? 1, are the spaced blocks 65, and mounted on the upper side of strap 66, the uppermost of the straps 11, is a shoe 63 which is adapted .to'be slidable between the spaced blocks 65 on strap 71. It will be seen, therefore, that this alternate arrangement of straps 51 and straps 11 carryin spaced blocks and shoes, respectively, is followed throughout the unit shown between adjacent'bars 21 on postB. Bars 21 on post .B 'are likewise preferably spaced one inch apart, reading from the center of one bar to the center of the next adjacent bar, and these bars are likewise, as explained above, preferably of 0.090 thickness. It will be seen, therefore, that each bar projects into the one inch vertical space 0.045, leaving a space of approximately 0.910for a purpose now'to be described.

' The spaced blocks 65 and the shoe 63 asso ciated therewith are preferably of 0.030 thickness as are likewise the other spaced blocks and shoes disposed below andin the same unit therewith. Therebeing twenty ribbons, eachpreferably of 0.015 thickness disposed between two adjacent bars 21 on post B it will be seenthat these ribbons occupy a total vertical space of V approxi mately 0.300". Using ten abutments 94 of 0.057" thickness, it will be apparent that approximately 0.870 is filled up betweenthe inner sides of adjacent bars 21 or post B, and it will be seen that since the inner sides of adjacent bars 21 are approximately 0.910 apart as explained above, space is provided for one shoe or pair of spaced blocks of 0.030" tobe drawn into wedging engagement between adjacent bars 21' on post B. It will be seen, therefore, that when the Voter votes one button in a horizontal row he is prevented from voting any other button in the same horizontal row for the reason that it is impossible to move more than one 0030 shoe or pair of 0.030 spac'ed blocks into wedging engagement between adjacent bars 21 or 'of 0.057"-thickness. When it is desired or post B, when using abutments 94' required, however, for any reason, to enable two buttons to be voted in the same horizontal row of eighteen buttons, this is accomplished in the following manner: V

T Abutments 94 of 0.057 thickness are removed and abutments' of 0.054" thickness are substituted therefor, which will allow a second'shoe or pair of spaced blocks to be moved into wedging engagement between adj acent bars 21 on post B and hence allows two buttons to be voted in the same horizontal row. Should it be desired to allow three buttons in the same horizontal row tobe voted, wires of 0.051 thickness are substituted. It will be seen, therefore, that diminishing the thickness of the wires 94 used by 0.003" allows an additional shoe-or pair of spaced blocks to be brought into wedging engagement between adjacent bars 21 on post B and hence allows an additional button to be voted in a horizontal row.

When the voter enters the voting booth, a

suitable operating mechanism, forming a part of the gate to the voting booth (not shown), operates the laterally extending arm and this arm moves the attached vertically extending bars 28 and 96 into the positions shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1. If the voter votes one of the buttons associated with straps 50, the attached plate 7 3 will be moved into position abutting the bar 96 and when the voter leaves the voting booth a suitable operating mechanism constituting a part of the gate exit moves bar 96 into the posi' 'tion shown in solid lines in Fig. 1, and as illustrated in Fig.2, and this movement moves the plate 73 and the attached strap 51, and the shoe or spaced blocks'attached to strap 51 are moved'out of wedging engagement and returned to position ready for voting. In a similarmanner, bar 28 operatesplates 7 and attached straps 11. The above named mechanism operating arm 95 and bars 28 and 96 isdescribed in the applicants co-' pending application Serial No. 465,671, filed on or aboutJuly3, 1930.

In'many townships, cities, counties, States and other political units,- it is frequently required legally or isdesirable that a voting machine be'so constructed as to allow the voter to vote for two or more candidates running for oflicesof a'similar nature. This is what is known as group? voting. Betterto illustrate the adaptability and function of my invention in this respect the following example is given Suppose,'for example, that the law of a particular State requires that a township have three justices of the peace and three members of the school board and that the voter shall be allowed to vote for three candidates for each oflice, irrespective of partly, and that a voting machine, before 0 its use shall be authorized, must be so constructed as to permit this privilege to the voteri In theprior art, while alimited form of group voting was possible, a Wide adaptability in group voting was not provided for, and voting machines were consequently unable to conform to the laws of many States and other political divisions. Moreover, in the prior art, in order to change any section of the voting machine from an arrangement adapted for individual voting to a condition adapted to group voting or vice versa, it was necessary to spend a large amount of time and effort and the change necessitated a virtual dismantling of the machine. My invention, however, as will be explained presently, permits of wide adaptability in group voting as well as in. individual voting and allows the election custodian of the machine within a few minutes to change any one or more sections of the machine from a condition adapted for individual voting to a'condition adapt ed for group voting while still permitting individual voting in other sections of the machine. 1

When it is desired, for example, as stated above, to enable the voter to vote irrespective of party, as for example, in the case mentioned above, where three justices of the peace and three members of the school board are to be elected out of three candidates for each ofiice from each of five different parties, this is accomplished by means of my invention in the manner now to be described: It 'eing understood that abutments 94 are removed from post B, and that reference is now being made particularly to the use of abutments 27, each party being allowed the use of two vertical rows of buttons, the staples 20 are removed from the lower of each of the two bars 21 shown in Fig. 1 on posts A and C and likewise the staple 20 is removed from each of the bars 21 next below the bars referred to above, these staples 20 being withdrawn from their slots '19 by means of pliers or other suitable tool.

hen the staples are removed therefrom, these four bars will ride loosely on posts A? and C and since three groups of five abutments 27 are in this manner loosely associated on each of the posts A and C, each group having 0075 plus play therein, it will be seen that 0.225 plus play is in this manner provided between each two adjacent rigidly supported bars 21 on post A and on post C. 'Sufiicient play is thus provided for three shoes or three pairs of spaced blocks to be moved into wedging engagement between the topmost bar 21 shown in Fig. 1 on post A and the next rigidly supported bar therebelow, and likewise on post C, constituting a total of six shoes or six pairs of spaced blocks which may be moved which enables the voter to vote three consecutive voting buttons in each of two different vertical rows, thus representing three different horizontal rows, or within these three horizontal rows of buttons thus represented, he

may vote any pair of two buttons in each of two different vertical rows and one button in each of two other vertical rows or he may, within these three horizontal rows, vote one button in each of six different vertical rows. Referring to the example given above, in the case of three justices of the peace and three members of the school board to be elected on; of three candidates for each office from each of five different parties, making a total of thirty candidates, the voter is enabled, as explained above, to vote, in the case of each oflice referred to, for three candidates of one party, or for two candidates of one party and one candidate of another party, or for one candidate from each of three different parties.

Employing the ei hteen party arrangement of the machine embodying my invention, that is removing abutments 27 from posts A and C, and using only abutments 94s on post B, group voting is accomplished in substantially the same manner as described above.

It will be seen, therefore, that by pulling out additional staples the number of candidates that may be included in a group may be increased within a wide range. Further to increase this number and to meet the requirements of certain election laws and the requirements of primary elections, I provide wedge units 12 and abutments 27 and 94 of smaller dimensions and these wedge units and abutments are quickly interchangeable with those of smaller dimensions.

In order to allow individual voting for more than one candidate in a horizontal row, as for example, in a primary election wherein it is desired or required that the entire machine be devoted to two parties, this is accomplished in the following manner: When the machine is divided into separate upper and lower sections, the upper section given to the use of, for example, the Republican party, while the lower half is given to the use'of, for example, the Democratic party, the ballot tickets are then arranged so that each horizontal row represents a list of candidates within a party and running for the same oflice. In order to allow the voter to vote for more than one candidate for a particular office, and in the same horizontal row, abutments 27 of 0.135 thickness are then removed fromposts A and C, and abutments of lesser thickness are substituted therefor. In case it is desired to allow the voter to vote for only two candidates in the same horizontal row, abutments of 0.120 thickness are substituted for the abutments of 0.135 thickness. If it is desired to allow the voter to vote'for three candidates in the same horizontal row, abutments of 0.105 thickness are substituted while if it is desired to enable the voter to vote for four candidates abutments of 0.090" thickness are substituted. If it is desired further to enable the voter to vote for five candidates in the same horizontal row abutments of 0.075 thickness are substituted, and so on. In a similar manner, if after having removed abutments 27 from both posts Aland C and using only abutments 94, it is desired to allow the voter two votes in the same horizontal row the abutments of 0.057 thickness are removed and abutments of 0.05 1" thick ness are substituted, and itcwill be seen that diminishing the size of the abutments 9 1 by 0.003 each time will allow the voter an additional vote in the same horizontal row.

It frequently happens, particularly in primary elections, that there will be a relatively large number of candidates running for the nomination for an oifice while perhaps only one of the candidates or a comparative few are to be nominated and it is either legally required or desirable that a voting machine be capable of allowing the voter to vote for only candidatesor for comparatively few candidates out of a group. Better to illustrate the use of my invention in this respect the following example is given: When the voting machine embodying my invention is blocked off so that, for example, in a primary election the upper half is given to the use of the Democratic party while the lower half is reserved for the use of, for example, the Republican party, and the voter has indicated to the proper election official his party choice, it will be assumed that there are twenty-seven candidates running for nomination of the oilice of sheriif onthe Democratic ticket, these twenty-seven candidates being represented by three horizontal rows of nine buttons, and it will be assumed that the voter is allowed to nominate only one. In the use of the voting machine embodying my invention I may accomplish thisin the following manner: abutments 9a. are removed from post :3 and the staples removed from two adjacent bars 21 on post A, thus associating three sets of abutments 27 on post A and in this manner combining three horizontal rows ofbuttons into a group. It will be seen, however, as explained hereinbefore, that when the staples 20 are removed from two adjacent bars 21 on post A approximately 0.225 plusplay is provided between two fixed bars 21 and this amount of play would allow three shoes or three pairs of spaced blocks to be moved into wedging en agement, hence allowing the voter to vote for three candidates for the nomination for sheriff. However, in the above example it is assumed that it is desired to enable the voter to vote for only one candidate. Thisobj ectmay be accomplished by removing ten abutments 27 of 0.135 thickness and inserting in place thereof ten abutments of 0.150 thickness.

1 Supposing that in the above example there were twenty-seven candidates running for thenomination for councilman and only two were to be nominated, the voter to be allowed only two votes out of the twenty-seven. This object could be accomplished by removing the staples 20 from two adjacent bars, which would group the three horizontal rows of but- 7 tons, allowing 0.225 plus play between two adjacent fixed bars 21, and then removing five of the abutments 27 of 0.135 thickness and substituting therefor five abutments of r 0.150" thickness which would allow 0.150"

plus play between the two fixed bars 21 and thus allowing two pairs of shoes or two pairs of spaced blocks to be moved into wedging engagement, thus permitting the voter to vote for any two of the twenty-seven candidates in the three horizontal rows of for five of the twenty-seven candidates, that is to vote any combination of five of the buttons in the three horizontal rows five abut-- ments 27 of 0.135 thickness would be replaced by five abutments of 0.105 thickness, and so on. It will be readily apparent, therefore, that by substituting suitably sized abutments 27 the voter may be enabled to vote for any predetermined number of the twentyseven candidates in the three horizontal rows, permitting him to pick all of his candidates from one row or to make any possible combination between the three rows. Itwill likewise be apparent that by removing additional staples 20 additional horizontal rows of buttons may be grouped and the same procedure as outlined above maybe followed for allowing the voter to vote for any predetermined number of candidates in a relatively large group. It will be readily seen, therefore, that in this manner the machine embodying my invention is enabled to effect a distinct economy in the number of horizontal rows of buttons and the amount of vertical space required since the inter-group voting described above between horizontal rows necessitating the use of fewer horlzontal rows of buttons to accommodate the candidates for each office and in.

this manner the voting 'machine embodying my invention is enabled to meet the demands of various elections, particularly primary elections, the space demands of which voting machines heretofore in the art have been unable to meet. j V From the above example it will be seen that I may remove abutments '27 and use abutments 94 on post B in analogous ways. Suppose, for example, to make an exaggerated case, but better to illustrate the capacity of the voting machine embodying my invention, that there were fifty-four candidates running for the nomination for a particular oflice and only one was to be nominated, these fifty-four candidates being represented by three horizontal rows of buttons, eighteen in each row: The staples 20 from two adjacent bars 21 on post B would then be removed, thus associating the three rows of buttons in the manner explained hereinbefore, and thus providing for 0.090 plus play between two fixed bars 21 on post B. In order to allow the voter to vote for only one candidate, ten abutments 94lof 0.057 thickness could then be removed and ten abutments of 0.063" substituted therefor, or twenty abutments of 0.057 could be removed and twenty abutments of 0.060 substituted therefor.

Supposing that in the above example it were desired to allow the voter to vote for five of the fifty-four candidates: After having removed the staples 20 from two adjacent bars 21, thus providing 0.090 plus play, and since the shoes and spaced blocks associated with post B are preferably of 0.030 thickness, it is apparent that five shoes or five pairs of spaced blocks could be brought into wedging engagement by removing ten abutments 94 of 0.057 thickness and substituting therefor ten abutments of 0.051" thickness or twenty abutments 94 of 0.057 thickness could be removed and twenty abutments of 0.057 thickness substituted therefor. It is apparent, therefore, that by pulling out additional staples and continuing this substitution of abutments of different diameters the capacity of the voting machine embodying my invention may be increased greatly beyond the present requirements of primary elections.

From the foregoing description of my invention it will be seen that I have provided an arrangement which will enable the voting machine embodying my invention to comply with the various requirements of voting machines and which will be highly efiicient in use and economical in manufacture.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a voting machine, selective interlocking mechanisms, a group of straps overlapping each other throughout a part of their extent, wedge blocks carried by the overlapping portions of said straps, abutments removably inserted between the straps for interlocking said wedge blocks and straps within said group, sub-groups in said group each comprising alternate straps of said group, additional wedge blocks carried by said straps of each sub-group, abutments removably inserted between said straps for interlocking said second-named wedge blocks and said straps within sub-groups, and means for selectively rendering said interlocking mechanisms inoperative by removing the abutments of the respective group or subgroup.

2. In a voting machine, selective interlocking mechanisms, a group of straps overlapping each other throughout a part of their extent, wedge blocks carried by the overlapping portions of said straps, abutments removably inserted between the straps for interlocking said wedge blocks and straps within said group, a sub-group in said group comprising alternate straps of .said group, additional wedge blocks carried by said straps of said sub-group, abutments removably inserted between said straps for interlocking said second-named wedge blocks and said straps within said sub-group, and means for selectively rendering said interlocking mechanisms inoperative by removing the abutments of the respective group or sub-group.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

JOSEPH M. GARR. 

